Abstract
Important biological and clinical features of malignancy are reflected in its transcript pattern. Recent advances in gene expression technology and informatics have provided a powerful new means to obtain and interpret these expression patterns. A comprehensive approach to expression profiling is serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), which provides digital information on transcript levels. SAGE works by counting transcripts and storing these digital values electronically, providing absolute gene expression levels that make historical comparisons possible. SAGE produces a comprehensive profile of gene expression and can be used to search for candidate tumor markers or antigens in a limited number of samples. The Cancer Genome Anatomy Project has created a SAGE database of human gene expression levels for many different tumors and normal reference tissues and provides online tools for viewing, comparing, and downloading expression profiles. Digital expression profiling using SAGE and informatics have been useful for identifying genes that have a role in tumor invasion and other aspects of tumor progression.
Highlights
Digital expression profiling using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) and informatics have been useful for identifying genes that have a role in tumor invasion and other aspects of tumor progression
We are very familiar with the premise that cancer is characterized by acquired genetic alterations that progressively alter genes involved in growth, apoptosis and/or DNA stability [1]
The Brazilian Genome Project has made a major contribution by sequencing internal cDNA fragments that are complementary to existing data through its human cancer Orestes project [9]
Summary
We are very familiar with the premise that cancer is characterized by acquired genetic alterations that progressively alter genes involved in growth, apoptosis and/or DNA stability [1]. Advances in the fields of genomics and biotechnology, such as highthroughput mutational analysis, large-scale expression analysis and DNA sequencing, have considerably improved the quantity, quality and accessibility of the molecular information This technical revolution is accelerating the process of identifying the genes of diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic significance in cancer. Correlating expression levels in malignant cells with the information derived from the recently sequenced human genome is a important example This information has to be made readily available in a user-friendly format, so that scientists can concentrate on making progress on developing better insights and treatments. The ability to assay gene expression levels on a large scale holds the promise of revealing a much more complete picture of the molecular interactions within the malignant cell These data are only a first step towards achieving a better understanding, diagnosis and treatment of cancer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
